Microbiological features of aquifer thermal energy storage systems

Conference · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6368740

Hicks, R J; Thompson, T E; Brett, C E; Allison, F S; Neville, J A; Shea, C; Winters, A L

A study was initiated to determine the environmental effects of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) technology pertaining to microbial communities indigenous to ATES and the propagation, movement, and release of pathogenic microorganisms within ATES systems. Six water samples from various locations within a chill ATES system in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, were obtained to develop a microbial profile. In addition, two head wells were sampled using glass slides/solid support device (SSD) to assess the importance of adhering microbial populations. Bacteria were observed in all water samples collected Heterotrophic bacteria represented the largest group observed. In addition, coliforms and pseudomonad (bacteria that may be opportunistic human pathogens) were observed in many of the samples. However, no true human pathogens were observed in the water or solid support samples. Although preliminary, the data suggests that chill ATES does not increase the level of pathogenic microorganisms in aquifers. 14 refs., 1 fig., 5 tabs.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6368740
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-16723; CONF-890351-1; ON: DE89009160
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250600* -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALABAMA
AQUIFERS
BACTERIA
COLIFORMS
COOLING TOWERS
DETECTION
ENERGY STORAGE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EVALUATION
FEDERAL REGION IV
GROUND WATER
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAT STORAGE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MICROORGANISMS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOGENS
PSEUDOMONAS
STORAGE
TOWERS
USA
WATER